Make sure your site is optimized for the search engines with the right keywords!

Add appropriate SEO words to your social-media campaign!

Create current blogs, newsletters and videos!

You see these messages through various mediums all day at work. And while you may be overwhelmed with all of this noise, it’s time to stop avoiding it as there is truth behind this…

Content is Still King.

“70% of B2B marketers are creating more content than they did one year ago, even those who say they are least effective (58%) and those without any type of strategy (56%),” states The Content Marketing Institute’s latest report on “2015 Benchmarks, Budgets and Trends in North America. And “58% of B2B marketers use search engine marketing, making it the paid method used most often to promote/distribute content (they also say it’s the most effective paid method).”

If you are not using content to sell your products and services, you will not be able to compete. Period.

As I mentioned previously, all of your communications are now combined. Just as the door-to-door sales position has died off due to new technology, so have the days of using a single, marketing tool to sell products and services.

In fact, Pew Research reports that, “in 2013, 82% of Americans said they got news on a desktop or laptop and 54% said they got news on a mobile device.” And “beyond that, 35% reported that they get news in this way ‘frequently’ on their desktop or laptop, and 21% on a mobile device (cellphone or tablet).”

Today, all of your communications need to work together to present a brand image and sell products and services via various devices. This includes all of your digital and print sales/marketing materials, Website pages, social-media posts, media-pitches, videos… the list goes on.

And guess what they all have in common? Content!

If you haven’t done so already, it’s time to place more emphasis on your content.

Instead of just being something that you or one of your employees create, the copy about your business needs to have a strategy and tracking behind it. It should be part of an overall, marketing plan and editorial calendar.

Most important, the content needs to actually get customers to buy your products and services… AND make them want to tell their friends about it.

Does your content do that?

If not, here are some questions to ask yourself:

How do you know if your content is working?

Are you able to change content right away that is not bringing in results?

Is your copywriter trained in search-engine-optimization and “writing copy that sells”?

Does your current, marketing budget focus on content, and if not, what can you do to change this?

Your Customers Want Valuable Content.

Your customers want interesting information, stories, photos, news, and more via their phones, laptops, and other, digital devices. And when they find something they like, they share it with their friends.

Are you giving your customers the content they want right now in the format they use most frequently?

If not, you are definitely losing sales to the competition. Instead of concentrating on “selling,” focus on providing valuable content specific to your customers’ needs. More than ever…it’s not about you. It’s about the content king and his royal subjects!

What are you going to do today to improve your SEO content and bring in more sales?

For more information on boosting sales with SEO content strategy, please write to me here or contact me at www.rembrandtwrites.com.

]]>http://www.startupnation.com/startupnation-insider-information/website-development/copy-shmopy-need-content/feed/0Does Your SEO Content Create Buzz?http://www.startupnation.com/startupnation-insider-information/website-development/seo-content-2/
http://www.startupnation.com/startupnation-insider-information/website-development/seo-content-2/#commentsWed, 27 Aug 2014 14:52:42 +0000http://www.startupnation.com/?p=12357Does your SEO content create buzz?? “Content is King!” “Use social media to get new clients!” “Post an SEO blog!” Writing SEO content and posting it online is all the rage. But why? People want to hear about the latest trends that will help them save time, money and have more fun. If they like [...]

Writing SEO content and posting it online is all the rage. But why?

People want to hear about the latest trends that will help them save time, money and have more fun. If they like what they see, they will tell their friends about it. And this means more sales for your business.

Most of you already know this. That’s why you take hours to write your blogs, create Website content and send out marketing e-mails. The problem is, you are not seeing any results.

1. Write about benefits.

When you write anything, always think about your targeted audience. What’s in it for them? Why are they going to care about what you have to say?

Stop creating what I call “We” Websites where you say, “We do this. We do that. We won this. We are the leaders in…” Blah. Blah. Blah. How boring!

2. Add current content – regularly.

How old is the content on your Website?

When was the last time you posted a blog or new article?

If you don’t post current information on a weekly basis and keep your Website updated, what does that say about your business?

People don’t want to visit Websites or use services that are old and outdated. They want to know about current trends and buy products and services from businesses that are up-to-date and newsworthy.

3. Stop worrying about SEO keyword phrases.

While blogs and other content are great for improving search rankings, you should not focus on keywords alone. Instead, write about current, news and trends related to your products and services and the topics that will benefit your customers.

By providing valuable information to your target-market, you’ll also provide valuable information to the search-engines.

4. Remove mistakes.

When you post SEO content, are you missing blatant misspellings, grammatical errors and other mistakes?

This can give a bad, first-impression so be sure to proofread your copy before making it live.

5. Write content for your customers.

If you’re not already doing so, monitor the analytics on your Website and see what your site visitors are clicking on and sharing via social media the most. This is the content they want to read and share so write more of it!

Boost SEO Content Buzz Quickly and Easily.

If your SEO content is not helping your business boost sales or online awareness, it’s time to make a few changes. And the best part is that this doesn’t need to cost you any money.

Review your content and ensure you are focusing on your customers’ needs by providing benefits, valuable tips, current information, and well-written posts. Then, track results and see what your site visitors like the most.

This way, you can provide information your target-market values and will want to share with others. And more buzz means more business!

]]>http://www.startupnation.com/startupnation-insider-information/website-development/seo-content-2/feed/03 Free Ways to Boost Online Awarenesshttp://www.startupnation.com/startupnation-insider-information/website-development/boost-online-awareness/
http://www.startupnation.com/startupnation-insider-information/website-development/boost-online-awareness/#commentsThu, 22 May 2014 15:57:15 +0000http://www.startupnation.com/?p=11692How to Improve Your Content for the Search Engines… Fast As an entrepreneur, you know you need to build online awareness and get high rankings on the search engines. And, of course, there are hundreds of services out there ready to help you… from very expensive, full-services to consultants to do-it-yourself tools to classes, and [...]

As an entrepreneur, you know you need to build online awareness and get high rankings on the search engines. And, of course, there are hundreds of services out there ready to help you… from very expensive, full-services to consultants to do-it-yourself tools to classes, and more.

Who has time or money for that? You have a business to run!

With this in mind, here are 3 ways to increase your site rankings at no cost…

Review your content.

When was the last time you read the content on your Website or had someone critique it? If it has been a few weeks, take some time to actually review what you are saying on your site. Then, ask yourself a few questions:

Is it easy to understand what we offer in a matter of seconds?

Will our target market see “what’s in it for them” right away?

Do we provide simple steps and current (and correct), valuable data?

By answering these questions, you’ll be able to see what your site lacks immediately and start e to make changes.

Provide value.

If you were a potential customer visiting your site, what information would you want to see?

Offer unique data, stories, photos, and more that only you and your organization can offer. This way, you’ll stand out from the competition.

Don’t worry about keywords.

If you spend an appropriate amount of time researching your target market and providing valuable information specifically for them that is unique to you and your business, you shouldn’t have to worry about inserting a bunch of keywords into your content.

For example, if you have a blog about cleaning a boat, add a headline that includes this information such as, “Tips to Clean Your Boat.” Then, throughout the blog, add titles that explain what you are talking about such as, “Tools to Clean Your Boat Windows Fast,” “Avoid This Chemical When You Clean Your Boat,” etc. This way, we know the blog focuses on ways to “Clean Your Boat.”

Make it easy for customers, and the search engines to find your content online by including appropriate titles and sub-titles.

SEO is Not about Keywords. It’s about Value.

As a busy entrepreneur, you have important things to take care of, and the last thing you want to do is waste time and money on SEO. If this sounds familiar, schedule some time to review your Website and content. Then, update it accordingly with the tips above. You can also get a marketing intern to help you at no cost. Then, when your business starts making money, look into hiring an experienced, SEO content strategist to help you. This way, you can focus on your core responsibilities and know that you are presenting the best content possible to your target market.

By providing valuable and current information that only you and your business can provide, your site will get noticed by the search engines. More important, customers will appreciate the information, and you’ll see word-of-mouth and sales increase!

What are you going to do today to update your Website content?

Do you need help with content strategy, SEO and public relations? Please write to me here or visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for more information.

]]>http://www.startupnation.com/startupnation-insider-information/website-development/boost-online-awareness/feed/0Are You Guilty of These 3 Web Sins?http://www.startupnation.com/start-your-business/launch-a-home-business/web-sins/
http://www.startupnation.com/start-your-business/launch-a-home-business/web-sins/#commentsMon, 27 Jul 2009 10:00:02 +0000http://www.startupnation.com/blogs/?p=4578Whether you are creating a new Web site or reviewing the one you already have, there are three key factors to keep in mind. Are you guilty of these three Web site sins? 1. Visitors can’t get the information they need. This is pretty obvious, but often overlooked. It can be enticing to use fancy videos, [...]

]]>Whether you are creating a new Web site or reviewing the one you already have, there are three key factors to keep in mind.

Are you guilty of these three Web site sins?

1. Visitors can’t get the information they need.

This is pretty obvious, but often overlooked. It can be enticing to use fancy videos, too many keywords, big graphics, pop-up ads, and more to have an interesting site.

But don’t forget that the whole purpose of having an online presence is to provide information to visitors! Let your visitors know that they have arrived at a site that will give them what they need without having to wait for graphic downloads and video fluff.

2. Your site is hard to use.

Can visitors find solutions to their problems quickly and easily? If potential customers need to dig through your site to find information, you’ll lose them to the competition. Make your navigation and content easy to follow.

3. There is no value.

In addition to key benefits, go that extra step and provide your customers with valuable information they weren’t expecting. This may include tips, expert insights, links to pertinent resources, articles, free reports, and more.

After all, customers don’t necessarily want to hear about your extensive, business success and the specific features of your products and services. They want to know what’s in it for them and how they will benefit from what you have to offer.

Keep it Simple.

Web sites are a great way to bring in new customers, and it can be easy to fall into the trap of offering a lot “bells and whistles” on your site. But you don’t need them.

Just provide valuable information for your customers that is easy to find and read. Solve their problems with fantastic customer service, and your sales, and word-of-mouth, will increase dramatically.

Do you need help optimizing your site for the search engines and bringing in new customers? Please send me a note here or at www.rembrandtwrites.com. I’m here to help!